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Category:Cumulus MX: Difference between revisions
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= Introduction = | = Introduction = | ||
== What does Cumulus MX do? == | |||
Before you read this article any further, read [[About Cumulus|the article that introduces Cumulus]] first, as that will explain what Cumulus software can do for you, then you will be linked back to this page. | Before you read this article any further, read [[About Cumulus|the article that introduces Cumulus]] first, as that will explain what Cumulus software can do for you, then you will be linked back to this page. | ||
This | == This article == | ||
This Wiki article was originally exactly what Steve Loft said in the [https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=39 MX early builds support forum] when he first started experimenting with Cumulus MX and access was restricted to those willing to experiment with his tests. | |||
If you visit this page again, you may find more has been added since your last visit, I am adding more as I explore more of the functionality of MX; and as I learn more from posts in the forum. If you can correct anything I write, add anything I have not yet covered, or know something that I might not know, then please remember, anyone can update this article, I don't have any special access in the Wiki and any page I edit can be edited/corrected by anyone else. During a period of my time in employment I was responsible for approving documentation on a large computerisation project, and later for supplying updated information for a public faced web site, and in both cases there were house style, so I may be using a style not the same as your natural one. But as long as you use short paragraphs or bullet points, with lots of headings, then your contribution can blend in. | If you visit this page again, you may find more has been added since your last visit, I am adding more as I explore more of the functionality of MX; and as I learn more from posts in the forum. If you can correct anything I write, add anything I have not yet covered, or know something that I might not know, then please remember, anyone can update this article, I don't have any special access in the Wiki and any page I edit can be edited/corrected by anyone else. During a period of my time in employment I was responsible for approving documentation on a large computerisation project, and later for supplying updated information for a public faced web site, and in both cases there were house style, so I may be using a style not the same as your natural one. But as long as you use short paragraphs or bullet points, with lots of headings, then your contribution can blend in. | ||
= Cumulus MX = | |||
*When this article was first created, Cumulus 1 was still recommended for most users. | |||
*It had extensive help screens built into the package, it had an installation package, and produced a main screen when it was running that summarised the weather and gave access to all the settings and editors. | |||
*At that stage Cumulus 3 also known as MX was experimental and it had limited functionality, much less that was available in Cumulus 1. | |||
*Consequently, at that time, most Cumulus users were using Cumulus 1, and just those wishing to take part in beta testing used MX. | |||
*Steve Loft who wrote and developed Cumulus 1 and MX, no longer offers any support. | |||
*The source code for Cumulus 1 is not available, and it was developed using a coding environment that is no longer available. | |||
*Consequently, Cumulus 1 functionality can not be changed, and without knowledge of how it was written, there is no ongoing support, just the experience of those who have used it, or are still using it. | |||
*Cumulus 1 was designed to work with weather stations that were available when it was written, the technology used by stations, and models available, have changed since then. | |||
*The ongoing development is adding lots more functionality into MX, it can do a lot more with the the numbers it reads from weather stations, and it can be updated when weather station features change. | |||
*Therefore, the advice to newcomers is to use Cumulus 3, normally called MX. Similarly, the advice to established Cumulus 1 users is you are now missing out on features unless to move to MX. | |||
*Consequently, this is the Cumulus flavour that most users will select to install and run. | |||
*However, there are no instructions built into the MX package, so it is hoped that the update of this article will help people to understand MX sufficiently to use it both more easily and to maximum capability. | |||
*Currently, Mark Crossley who has been responsible for all recent MX releases is able to answer questions in the support forum [https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=40 for recent MX releases], but this article will hopefully allow him to spend less time answering questions and more time improving MX (and more time for everything else in his life) | |||
== Restrictions on who can use MX == | == Restrictions on who can use MX == | ||
MX makes extensive use of library packages like bootstrap (cascade styling), datatables (display and manipulation of tables), JQuery (JavaScript package that provides code supports for multiple browsers and other libraries to work together), high stock (for drawing charts), datepicker (a JavaScript based routine for making date selection possible using a calendar type interface as not all browsers directly support that), handlebars (templates for generating HTML), alapaca (JavaScript from Gitana Software that generates interactive HTML5 forms), Steelseries (provides the gauges used), and a few more. Most of these are open software and free for personal use, but some have restrictions on commercial use requiring a licence. Consequently, MX does have to declare it is not for use on a commercial web site. | |||
=== Message from Steve Loft === | === Message from Steve Loft === | ||
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Note: The graphs used in Cumulus MX are drawn using Highcharts and they are free for non-commercial use only, i.e. you may not use them on a company web site, see http://shop.highsoft.com/faq/non-commercial for clarification. '''For this reason, and others, use of Cumulus MX in a commercial environment is expressly forbidden.''' | Note: The graphs used in Cumulus MX are drawn using Highcharts and they are free for non-commercial use only, i.e. you may not use them on a company web site, see http://shop.highsoft.com/faq/non-commercial for clarification. '''For this reason, and others, use of Cumulus MX in a commercial environment is expressly forbidden.''' | ||
''Please include a link to the | ''Please include a link to the Highstock web site (as the supplied web page does) if you use the charts under the terms of the non-commercial licence.'' | ||
== Documentation for MX == | == Documentation for MX == | ||